BCL Hons Law with Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Dublin

Program Overview

The BCL (Hons) Law with Economics at University College Dublin combines rigorous legal training with a strong understanding of how economies and markets work. It’s an excellent choice if you’re interested in law, policy, regulation, or business-facing legal careers — and want to understand why laws exist, not just how they’re applied.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Core Foundations

You begin with the essentials of law through subjects like Introduction to the Irish Legal System, Constitutional Law, and Contract Law, while also building a base in economics through introductory micro- and macroeconomics. The focus is on learning legal reasoning alongside economic thinking from the outset.

Year 2 – Law in Economic Context

Second year strengthens your legal core with modules such as Criminal Law and EU Law, while economics courses deepen your understanding of markets, policy, and decision-making. This is where you start clearly seeing how legal rules shape economic behaviour.

Year 3 – Integration and Application

In third year, the degree becomes more interdisciplinary. You study advanced law options alongside economics modules that explore regulation, competition, and policy analysis, applying both perspectives to real-world legal and economic problems.

Year 4 – Specialisation

Your final year allows you to tailor the degree to your goals, choosing advanced options in areas such as competition law, regulatory law, or economic policy. You graduate with a focused profile that reflects your interests and career ambitions.

Focus Areas (in a string):

Irish and EU law, constitutional and contract law, criminal law, micro- and macroeconomics, competition and regulation, economic policy, law and market analysis.

Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Strong legal reasoning, economic analysis, critical thinking, quantitative awareness, persuasive communication, and the ability to approach regulation and policy from both legal and economic perspectives.

Professional Alignment (accreditation):

This is a recognised Irish undergraduate law degree that covers core subjects required for professional legal training, with the added advantage of economics — a combination highly valued in regulatory, corporate, and policy-driven careers.

Reputation (employability rankings):

UCD’s law degrees are internationally respected, and graduates from combined programs like Law with Economics are particularly well regarded for roles that sit at the intersection of law, regulation, and business.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Studying BCL (Hons) Law with Economics at University College Dublin means developing practical skills in environments that reflect how law and policy work in the real world. You’ll move beyond theory into hands-on learning — practising legal argument, analysing economic impact, and working collaboratively — supported by UCD’s dedicated law facilities and a strong interdisciplinary culture. Here’s how that experience comes together:

Purpose-built law facilities: You’ll learn in the Sutherland School of Law, with access to a full Moot Court, negotiation and arbitration rooms, a Judge’s Chamber, and simulated legal spaces designed for advocacy and dispute-resolution practice.
Mooting and advocacy: Many students take part in mooting and debating through the UCD Law Society, preparing written submissions and delivering oral arguments — excellent preparation for legal and policy roles.
Internship opportunities: There are structured internship options that place students in professional settings such as law firms, corporate legal teams, NGOs, or public bodies, allowing you to apply both legal and economic thinking in practice.
Collaborative learning and group work: Tutorials and seminars regularly involve case discussions and group analysis, reflecting how lawyers and policy professionals work together to solve complex problems.
Research and legal writing: Students can engage in research-focused activities and student-led publications, strengthening analytical writing and academic confidence.
Library and research resources: You’ll have access to UCD’s extensive library system, with specialist law and economics materials, digital databases, and dedicated study spaces to support coursework and independent research.
Interdisciplinary engagement: Alongside law, you can connect with economics-focused student groups and events, helping you explore how markets, regulation, and policy interact beyond the classroom.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BCL (Hons) Law with Economics from University College Dublin move into careers where legal judgement and economic insight work together. This degree prepares you well for roles such as legal advisor, policy or economic analyst, regulatory affairs specialist, or corporate compliance professional, and it keeps both legal and non-legal career routes firmly open:

Career support throughout your degree: UCD’s Careers Network supports you from early on with career planning, CV and interview coaching, employer presentations, and sector-specific events focused on law, economics, and policy-related careers.
Strong graduate outcomes: UCD consistently reports that the vast majority of its graduates progress into employment or further study shortly after finishing their degree, reflecting the real-world relevance and reputation of its programs.
Employer connections: Through careers fairs, networking events, and employer talks, you’ll meet recruiters from law firms, consultancies, public bodies, financial institutions, and multinational organisations — helping you build contacts and clarity before you graduate.
Long-term professional value: A law degree combined with economics gives you durable, transferable skills — legal reasoning, economic analysis, and regulatory understanding — that remain valuable across changing industries and policy environments.
Wide graduation outcomes: Alumni go on to work in legal practice, regulation, public policy, compliance, consulting, economic research, and international organisations, showing the flexibility and reach of this qualification.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, many students choose to continue their studies through postgraduate programs. You could pursue an LLM or MCL to deepen your legal expertise and move closer to professional legal training, or progress into specialised economics, public policy, or regulatory studies at master’s level. These routes allow you to specialise further and strengthen your position for senior and competitive roles.